I'm looking to pull my diff in my 81 and rebuild it and add in some taller gears. These 2.87s(i think thats correct) arent doing it for me anymore. Anyone know a good spot to find a new ring and pinion? and a rebuild kit? Also, i was thinking about getting an iron carrier instead of my aluminum carrier. I'm on the fence with this... not sure if my housing could hold fine or if i should find an iron one. I have a ZZ4 crate motor with a 670 holley with long tube headers and full dual exhaust. I think that is around 350-375 hp. Im looking to put a 200R4 in place of the turbo 350. Is it worth trying to find an iron carrier or will the aluminum do?

 

I have the feeling that the alum. one would be the weak link in the drivetrain.

 

Don't know if a iron case is available.
You're looking for taller gears, then not into drag.
Cool! Tall gears for a road warrior is a good thing.
I have 3.07's and lookin' to put in a 3 sp stick with O.D. ( as cash will allow, have the trans, need to rebuild )
That'll put me to 75 mph @ 2400 rpm. ( around 460 hp/454 )
Your aluminum case should work just fine.

 

so i was looking around and saw the general feeling that the aluminum one will work at the power that i have now but if i ever decide to add power im going to risk breaking it. Anyone have any idea where i can get a used diff from an early C3 and rebuild it to swap into my vette?

 

I would keep the aluminum housing.
Unless you are smoking the tires all the time it should work fine.
I have a 3.07 in my 74 and I can't wait to get rid if it.
I get good mileage but it's a dog off the line .
I am looking to install 3:36 or even better 3.55


Schoon

 

Try pacvette.com , they are a Vette wrecking yard.
I got a steering column from them.

 

Also http://www.contemporarycorvette.com/

 

The ol' guy should probably just be quiet,but sometimes the need to share some of the knowledge gained the VERY hard way is irresistible! Frankly,if I were your age I would probably be doing exactly what you're doing! Realistically,when you start building the power that will make the aluminum diff the weak point you will have a car that is an absolute monster to drive on the street! It'll load up at anything under 3 grand,won't idle below 1200,will probably heat on days above 80 degrees will need weekly tuneups,you'll need 2 sets of sparkplugs,one in the car,the other being cleaned.You'll need a dual battery setup to turn the thing over when it's hot. If you get the power the "easy" way,spelled b-i-g b-l-o-c-k you'll need to beef up the front suspension some to deal with the added weight etc,etc,etc.
What the heck! Go for it! Keep us up to date on the progress!
Ron

 

The "easy way"? ROTFLOL!!!
That's a good one....not quite what I have found to be the case. LOL
Thanks for the laugh P-man.

 

C3,I don't mind sharing a laugh with the "other side" now and again. When I switched from flatheads I became a SBC fan and have not found a reason to switch to something else yet! Came close, by the time I got that Gen 2 LT1 in the 79 hooked up and running I was wondering why Chevy didn't just leave the smallblock alone! At least they left the hole in the block and a gear on the cam so the something less than wonderful Optispark can be deleted in favor of a real distributor! I am gleefully going back to Gen 1's! One foray into the ninety's is enough for me!
At the possible chance of getting Sweetness upset for hi-jacking the thread-Why did you choose the big block? Vettes are a little nose heavy already and I can't imagine the added 75 pounds or so would enhance the handling?
Ron
BTW What are "Notifications" and how do I access them? It sez I have 2